Lindsey Vonn is one of the most celebrated alpine skiers of her generation, and the passion she has for the sport is why she decided to go ahead with her commitment to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite an ACL injury. But, on Sunday, February 8, Vonn was involved in a scary crash that may end her career. Now, her father is speaking out about the moment.
Heading into the Winter Olympics, Vonn had a decision to make on whether to compete in the after tearing her ACL a week before the opening ceremony. Despite her ruptured ACL, Vonn continued with her goal to compete and took on the slopes. Ahead of the Games, she made her way down the course well and skied through her 100-second run without problems.
But, for the actual race on Sunday, Vonn was involved in a horrific crash and was forced to be air lifted to a hospital to get medical attention.
Now, her father is breaking his silence about Vonn. He has a warning, too.
Lindsey Vonn’s Father Speaks Out About Her Status Following Tragic Crash in Winter Olympics
On Monday, February 9, Lindsey Vonn’s father spoke with the AP and said that she won’t race again if he has any influence over her decision. He also said that she won’t be back in the Winter Olympics after breaking her leg in the downhill.
“She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” Alan Kildow said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, they reported. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”
Kildow and the Vonn family have been spending time with Vonn in the hospital while she’s being treated. On Sunday, February 8, the hospital released a statement saying Vonn had undergone surgery on her left leg.
“She’s a very strong individual,” her father added. “She knows physical pain and she understands the circumstances that she finds herself in. And she’s able to handle it. Better than I expected.”
He added of his daughter, “She’s a very, very strong person. And so I think she’s handling it real well.”
Lindsey Vonn ‘Lost Control’ on the Slopes During Her First 2026 Winter Olympics Appearance
Vonn’s moment on the slopes was certainly scary. She appeared to scream in pain as she went down, and the crowd fell silent.
“Vonn lost control within moments of leaving the start house, clipping a gate with her right shoulder and pinwheeling down the slope before ending up awkwardly on her back, her skis crisscrossed below her and her screams ringing out soon after medical personnel arrived,” NBC Right Now reported.
They added in their report, “She was treated for long, anguished minutes as a hush fell over the crowd waiting far below at the finish line.”
It’s tragic that Vonn’s final Olympics appearance had to end with her crashing and breaking her leg. But, what matters now is that she’s recovering and getting healthy again. Vonn was slated to appear in one more Olympics race this year, but as her father stated in the report, with a broken leg, that’s not going to happen.
Lindsey Vonn’s Father Comments After Scary Crash in Olympics